Making the Right Industrial Connections
“A plug is not just a plug,” states Maria Acosta, Senior Director of Product Management for Leviton. “Each industrial plug will vary in form and factor to meet each specific application requirement,” she notes. “Industrial connections, which include plugs, connectors, receptacles, inlets, backboxes and cam connectors need to be selected to simplify installation, improve safety and productivity and provide reliable service in harsh environments, such as fluctuating temperatures and the presence of water and corrosive solvents,” she further explains. Acosta, who is a 33-year veteran of Leviton, of which 27 of those years have been focused on the industrial market, is able to provide a roadmap to simplify the selection of industrial connections, based on the different levels of ampacity, power and resistance to extreme conditions. |
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| It’s important to note that all industrial connectors should comply to specific industry standards, such as NEMA, for plug and connector dimensional configurations. In addition, connectors should be listed with UL and/or CSA certification markings, which means these products have undergone and passed rigorous testing including flame and abrasion along with adhering to performance specifications. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies, known as |
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“electrotechnology.” These standards manage global conformity for interoperability, performance, design and safety. Leviton’s entire line of industrial connectors meet the UL, CSA and NEMA requirements as well as conforming to IEC specifications.
“Every industrial product that Leviton manufacturers is quality-driven,” states Acosta. “Our most noted stand-out advantage in the industrial connector market is that our connectors carry lifetime warranties. This demonstrates that Leviton Industrial products provide superior performance and reliabilityfor all levels,” she adds. When talking about “levels” she is referring to different types of industrial connectors, based on application requirements. The Leviton line includes Black & White, Wetguard, Lev Series Pin & Sleeve devices and the Rhino Hide line of Cam locks and Single Pole Devices. |
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| Black & White Plugs and Connectors, which is a Leviton trademark but a recognizable name in the industry, offer straight blade and locking devices in a variety of amperages and configurations. A big differentiator is that the Leviton Black & White connectors are constructed with an all-nylon, one-piece body with one-piece brass contacts. “The advantage of one-piece contacts is that they are much more durable whereas two-piece contacts have an inherent point of weakness which can lead to increased heat and residual moisture,” explains Acosta. Black & White Devices offer a variety of housing colors for better identification and are available up to 50 Amps and 600 V and are mainly used for connecting machinery in factories, including applications where machinery is frequently relocated. “Years ago, factory assembly machinery was stationary, but today more of these are now becoming mobile for use in smaller facilities. In these applications, connectors are under constant abuse as they are being plugged and unplugged during handling, so they need to be highly reliable when and where they are needed,” she adds. |
| Wetguard connectors are the next level up and as its name implies, these are designed for wet and dirtier environments. This is a complete line of watertight wiring devices including plugs, connectors, inlets and outlets used in demanding industrial locations with high abuse due to indoor wet and corrosive environments. An example would be a food processing plant, where washdowns are frequent, or an oil refinery where corrosive liquids are common. These carry IEC and NEMA watertight and dust-tight enclosure ratings. The patented multi-point sealing system forms an impenetrable barrier against dirt and moisture, providing the ultimate protection that customers should expect from a true watertight device. |
| Lev Series Pin and Sleeve Devices provide the next level up as they are more robust, bigger, and designed to take the highest abuse for larger machinery and power. This series employ round pins and sleeves versus the flat blades and plugs. Lev Series meet any environmental challenges and have the most comprehensive and highest watertight ratings on the market. When deployment speeds are critical, Leviton’s Pin & Sleeve connectors and interlocks are designed to easily assemble so set up time is almost negligible. This is critical in many assembly applications such as conveyor belts, as well as extreme temperatures such as snow-making machines and event in low-lit areas, such as mining equipment. |
Rhino Hide Single-Pole Cam Devices are the choice when application requires higher power and separate phases, mainly used for temporary or semi-permanent power distribution applications. Basically, cam devices connect to a power source, i.e., generators, street poles, etc., and distribute the power to the individual applications. Most frequent uses for cam devices include applications such as theme parks and carnivals, sports and entertainment venues, petrochemical plants and even shipbuilding sites. Leviton’s cam design provides reliable, high-conductivity, vibration-proof connections because they are constructed with shatter and crack proof sleeves and bodies. The Rhino Hide series of cam connectors are rated from 150 Amps used in carnival rides all the way up to 1135 Amps required for oil and gas rigs.
The Leviton product development team constantly engages with customers in all markets to be able to provide guarantees that their entire line of connectors, plugs, pin and sleeve, and cam devices meet or exceed all application requirements and industry standards and are quick and easy to assemble and hook up. As a result, Leviton’s line of industrial connections outperforms and outlasts any others. “It all comes down to this one important goal - downtime is not an option in the industrial market,” states Acosta.
For more information contact your Leviton representative or visit Leviton.com/industrial |
| Leviton Mfg. Company Inc. |
201 North Service Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
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